After news that a Staples in Germany was selling a range of smaller name 3D printers, the company has since increased its 3D printer retail operation – this time, in Canada. Staples Canada will now be selling the Afinia H-Series H480 3D printer in 10 different stores across British Columbia and Alberta.
Pete Gibel, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples Canada, said of the news, “Staples is known for carrying the latest technology, and 3D printers are the most recent example of our commitment to offering every product your business needs to succeed. For companies creating new products, 3D printing makes it easier to design and test new concepts and decrease the time to market.”
To celebrate the new offering, Staples Canada will be giving away one Afinia 3D printer on social media. Similar to a previous competition offered between Radio Shack and Afinia, Staples will be posting step-by-step images of an item being fabricated on the printer. Those who can accurately guess the object being printed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will have a chance to win the H480. The contest will be running from today, March 27, to March 30, with the winner announced on March 31.
In addition to the new product offering, Staples is also testing out a new 3D printing Copy & Print service in Guelph, Ontario for customers to 3D print files and personalized products. Gogi Grewal, senior vice president of business services at Staples Canada, gives his thoughts on the new program, “Through our 3D printing service pilot, small businesses can now take advantage of the enormous potential that this technology offers, when and how they need it. This pilot will help customers learn about the enormous opportunities of 3D printing and will help Staples learn how we can help customers make more happen for their business through this service.”
Staples has been expanding its line of 3D printing products and services for some time, step by step. The company previously added MakerBot machines to 50 stores in the US, as well as 3D Systems printers and 3D printing services in a few locations. In Europe, too, Staples has been providing paper 3D printing with Mcor’s unique paper 3D printing technology. Afinia 3D printers, as well as a variety of filaments and other 3D printers, can also be found on Staples.com. All of this seems to indicate that the office supply chain believes in the mainstream appeal and use of 3D printing technology.
